Answer:
The legal considerations that would be taken into account when pricing items in a small hardware store are:
1. Predatory pricing: This strategy prices items very low for the purpose of eliminating competition. It is illegal. Since predatory pricing violates antitrust laws, it causes the rising of monopolistic markets and the creation of monopolies. The allegations of predatory pricing are usually hard to prove because of the counter-argument that it could be part of normal competition.
2. Price discrimination: The Robinson-Patman act prohibits price discrimination or the attempt of companies to sell the same goods at different prices to different consumers.
3. Both predatory pricing and price discrimination because of their negative economic consequences are regarded as deliberate moves by business entities to undermine the marketplace and the forces of demand and supply. They are frowned at ethically and severely punished in the court of law.
Explanation:
When setting prices, it is a standard practice to consider all factors that could result in business problems and legal battles. It is not only economic profit consideration that should be taken care of, but there are competitive, socio-legal, and growth factors to be considered. Ethics is also another important consideration. Unethical violations could lead to fraudulent and illegal prosecutions.
